“As a pregnant woman about to give birth writhes and cries out in pain, so were we in Your presence, Lord.” (Isaiah 26:17 NIV)
Conviction is horribly uncomfortable. When we are living in sin and we experience the searing presence of the Holy Spirit, we squirm under His inquisition. Repentance relieves the pain. We either confess and come close or deny and withdraw.
Withdrawal does not alleviate our misery. Withdrawal only send us away from the throne room and further into our sin.
We are far better off when we cooperate with conviction, when we confess our sin and receive God’s grace. His mercy is the singular healing ointment that soothes our soul and restores right relationship with Him.
“Let the wicked forsake their ways and the unrighteous their thoughts. Let them turn to the Lord, and He will have mercy on them, and to our God, He will freely pardon.” (Isaiah 55:7 NIV)
Lord, we are so grateful for the discomfort of conviction: it alerts us to an opportunity for mercy. May we be quick to confess, ready to repent and turn from our wicked ways. We want to rightly walk with You. Amen.